John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Born:

3 January 1892, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State (present-day South Africa)

Died:

2 September 1973, Bournemouth, England

Nationality:

British

Profession(s):

Writer, Poet, Philologist, University Professor

Early Life and Education

• Early childhood spent in South Africa before returning to England.
• Father died when Tolkien was young, and he was raised by his mother until her death.
• Educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham.
• Studied Classics at Exeter College, Oxford.
• Served in the Lancashire Fusiliers during World War I.

Career and Major Achievements

• Served as a lecturer in English Language at the University of Leeds.
• Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford (1925-1945).
• Merton Professor of English Language and Literature at Oxford (1945-1959).
• Developed a complex sub-created world and mythology, the foundation for his literary works.
• Member of the Inklings, an informal literary discussion group at Oxford.

Notable Works

• The Hobbit (1937)
• The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955): The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
• The Silmarillion (published posthumously, 1977)
• The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (1962)
• Tree and Leaf (1964)

Legacy and Impact

J.R.R. Tolkien's works have had a profound and lasting impact on fantasy literature and popular culture. His creation of Middle-earth, with its intricate languages, histories, and cultures, set a new standard for world-building in fiction. Many consider Humphrey Carpenter's J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography to be the best biography on Tolkien, offering deep insights into his life and creative process.

Published Works

Related links